Affectionately known as a “Shortster” by many, but not by those who don’t like small motorcycles. For them, there’s no affection for these tiny Italian bikes, even if they do wear the Harley-Davidson name. This 1973 Harley-Davidson X-90 is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Zion, Illinois, and the seller is asking $3,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tiny tip!
You’ll have to excuse the composite photos, the seller uploaded a whopping three photos on the listing, 2/3 of which were verticals, and a short vertical video. Sigh. We just saw a nice 1974 example for $5,000 a month ago here on Barn Finds, so at $3,000, this one is easier on the wallet, although it’s not as nice. Aermacchi reportedly sold around 17,000 of these rebadged Harley-Davidson X-90 motorcycles for the three years they were made: 1973, 1974, and 1975. We’ve seen a lot of rebadged Italian motorcycles recently – I think they’re super interesting, and I have yet to own an Italian motorcycle. Sigh.
This is a screenshot from the seller’s video, just to show the rear a bit and the taillight, all of which appears to be in perfect condition. We don’t get to see the right side at all, unfortunately, but I’m sure they’d snap a few pics for anyone really interested, or I hope they would do that. I’ve always wanted an X-90, but even if this were local, I’m not sure I’d throw down 30 $100 bills for it. Not that it isn’t worth that, it may be because of its rarity, but it needs chrome work, the gas tank could use a repaint, I’m assuming tires, brakes, grips and rubber parts, etc. The video doesn’t have any sound, so it must not be running as they usually are in videos, but you can get a good view of the left side at least.
That being said, parts of it aren’t in such nice shape as you can see here and if you watch the video at full-screen. Harley-Davidson bought half of Aermacchi in 1960 just as Japanese imports were starting to trickle into the U.S., so the timing wasn’t the best, but who’s to know what the future brings? In 1974, they owned the whole company and by then, AMF Harley-Davidson offered a wide range of motorsports vehicles, from the usual big motorcycles they’re known for, and also small Italian-made bikes, snowmobiles, golf carts, bowling balls… well, maybe not that but AMF was a giant in that realm, too.
Another screenshot of the video shows the Aermacchi 90cc single, which evolved from the Harley MC-65 (we saw one here on Barn Finds three years ago). With around 8 horsepower, it sends power through a four-speed, clutch-operated manual via a chain and sprockets to the rear wheel, as you’d expect. The seller says it needs some TLC, and that’s about it for their listing information- bummer. Have any of you owned an X-90?
Continuing in what I consider the sites greatest asset, the authors submissions are usually hit or miss. Hit,, brings back wonderful memories to those that can relate to his madness, or miss, not interested and merely scroll on by. Well, not me, their loss as I can’t wait for his next post.
Coming from Milwaukee, you’d think these were popular,,,nah, people in Milwaukee wanted LOUD, POWERFUL motorcycles, not some smokey ring ding from far away lands. Obviously, Milwaukee was a very American city. Perfect for the kid? Nah, just have to wait to ride moms Sporty, besides, I made you a minibike,,,it was an unanticipated market and did poorly.
As far as the bike itself, the lucky ones that did get one, had a real motorcycle, only smaller. It gave real motorcycle experience with coordinating shifting and clutch, and most assuredly led to bigger bikes, sadly, not always H-D, as hoped. Still, these are out there, again, low miles as for many, it didn’t take long to stash this in the corner, and were now riding a Yamaha Twin 100( wink, wink, SG) and that was okay.
Hey, your kid spending too much time on that phone, one of these will solve that,,,,I hope.
Had one of these when I was 10! Cruising the streets of northeast Philadelphia, some would say my parents didn’t love me for letting me do that! The rules for keeping it was when riding I had be wearing jeans, boots and a helmet and obey all traffic rules. I’d get pulled over every now and then and the officers would just tell me to push it home. Some of my favorite childhood memories for me and my friends. Traded it for $100 and a go cart! One of my worst deals I’ve made as a kid.
1970 I bought a HD as this one but was a little bigger, 125 CC, 10 HP called a Rapido. It was a street and dirt bike with two sprockets, depending on your ridding for that day. It was a lot of fun until a car made a illegal left turn in front of me.
“Shortster” – LOL!
My two stroke Harley experience was I believe an 80cc bike that even by 60s standards was as low budget as one could be. The shifter was a ratchet shifter with no stops on it si you could go through all three gears in one step. Finding the proper gear that had a neutral in between each gear was quite a chore. I bought a Hodaka ace 90 and it was like transitioning to a Ferrari with functionality. I donated the Harley to a Salvation Army thrift store.